The Most Important Skillset You Need to Become a Voice Talent

Some, if not most, of you may have already dreamed of becoming a voice talent at some point in your life. You’ve had enough inspirations from the children’s show you’ve seen and the video games you’ve played.

But, just when you had the passion burning, you find yourself staring at the ceiling and not knowing how to start your journey in becoming a voice talent. You don’t know where to start and each time you try, you fail. Well, there might be something you’re missing.

The very first thing you need to do is be acquainted with what voice acting is. You should also know that there are four primary voice-over categories: the commercials, narrations, characterizations and imaging. By knowing these things, it will be easier for you to identify your strengths and weaknesses.

But, these are not the only things you need to know about voice acting. You should know that it is not easy landing a job in the voice over industry. It is a very competitive profession out there. Yes, there might be a lot of job opportunities that involve voice-overs but take note that there are also a lot of voice talents. According to Caroline Goyder, a professional voice coach, in her video How To Become A Voice Actor, there are two things you need in order to become a voice actor.

First is a good voice. This is a dead giveaway. From the name itself, your voice is mainly your passport to success. You need to have your voice be as attractive as possible to agents and companies that might hire you. Having the kind of voice that is needed for voice acting projects can be achieved with the help of voice coaches and attending drama schools.

Second, you need an agent to represent you and help you get your break in voice acting. Now, Caroline Goyder said that finding an agent can be very tricky. But, you can start your search online. You will be surprised at how many voice over agents you can find. This is also a good move to start listening to experienced voice actors through their audios in their website and take notes of how the good voice actors do it.

The last statement above leads to the key skill needed in becoming a voice actor: LISTENING. To quote, Steve Blum Voices,

“Listen to voices that you think are within your range naturally. Start there and record yourself. Any recorder will do. Don’t strain! Begin only with what is easy and natural for your voice and build on that. Listen to yourself and get used to how you sound on tape.”

After you have prepared enough, you are now ready to have your best recordings critiqued by your agent or other professional voice actors. Another word from Steve Blum:

“Again, and I can’t stress this enough, listen to their advice and input and please don’t take what you perceive to be negative comments personally. When you get out into the real world of directors and producers who may not care to hear your opinion, you have to leave your ego at home, so ya might as well start practicing now. DON’T TAKE REJECTION PERSONALLY!!”

It won’t always be rainbows and unicorns in the voice acting industry. Sometimes, even the most likely voice actor that has the best agent still won’t get the job. It’s just how it is. But, this does not mean that you will give up that easily. You will have to keep striving harder each audition and do everything you can to be at your best. You only get to prove yourself once, and sometimes, that’s all it takes.

How about you? What challenges did you face when you were still starting your voice over career? Comment below!